Adjustable X-ray Collimator for CT Imaging Gap Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems combining Computed Tomography (CT) with Nuclear Medicine (NM) Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) face challenges in achieving efficient and cost-effective data acquisition due to gaps in detector coverage, leading to reduced image quality and increased radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging system includes a gantry with radially spaced image detectors and an adjustable source collimator that dynamically blocks x-rays to optimize detector coverage, using a processor to control the collimator based on detector positions and x-ray source rotation, ensuring that x-rays are directed only to active detectors and minimizing radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gaps exist between image detectors along the circumference of the bore, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but image quality deteriorates and radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to change its blocking configuration based on the rotational position of the x-ray source. This dynamic adjustment enables the collimator to optimize radiation blocking at each angular position, ensuring that x-rays are directed only toward active detectors and not through gaps, thereby maintaining image quality while accommodating the reduced detector coverage configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control where the processor monitors the rotational position of the x-ray source and the configuration of detectors, then adjusts the collimator positioning accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the collimator is always in the optimal position to block radiation through gaps while directing it toward active detectors, resolving the contradiction between reduced device complexity and maintained image quality
2Device complexity
If gaps exist between image detectors along the circumference of the bore, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator dynamically adjusts its blocking configuration based on the real-time rotational position of the x-ray source relative to the detectors with gaps. By moving the collimator to different angular positions synchronized with the x-ray source rotation, the system ensures that radiation is blocked when it would otherwise pass through detector gaps, thereby reducing patient radiation exposure while maintaining the simpler, lower-cost detector configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable collimator serves as an intermediary element between the x-ray source and the patient/body being imaged. It actively mediates the radiation path by blocking harmful x-rays that would otherwise pass through detector gaps and expose the patient to unnecessary radiation, while allowing beneficial x-rays to reach active detectors for image formation, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced device complexity and reduced radiation dosage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an adjustable source collimator is added to block x-rays through gaps, then radiation dosage is reduced and image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable collimator is designed to perform multiple functions: it blocks radiation through detector gaps to reduce patient exposure, directs x-rays toward active detectors to improve image quality, and its positioning is controlled by the existing processor that already manages detector and x-ray source coordination. By integrating the collimator control into the existing multi-functional control system rather than adding a separate dedicated control system, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving reduced radiation dosage and improved image quality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances image quality by reducing gaps in detector coverage and radiation dosage, while maintaining efficient data acquisition and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray source attached to the gantry, wherein the x-ray source transmits x-rays across the bore towards at least two of the image detectors
Implementation Method 2
wherein one or more detectors detect both emission radiation and x-ray radiation
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, a plurality of image detectors, an x-ray source, an adjustable source collimator, and at least one processor. The image detectors are radially spaced around a circumference of the bore such that gaps exist between adjacent image detectors. The x-ray source transmits x-rays across the bore towards at least two of the image detectors. The adjustable source collimator is interposed between the x-ray source and a center of the bore, and is configured to block a portion of the x-rays produced by the x-ray source The at least one processor is configured to control the adjustable source collimator to dynamically adjust a range of x-rays that are blocked by the adjustable source collimator along the fan angle during transmission of x-rays from the x-ray source and acquisition of computed tomography (CT) information.